It seems like Qualcomm’s next generation of chipsets based on the 7nm process may be manufactured by TSMC, and not Samsung. According to a report by ETNews, Qualcomm has been designing and developing its next gen chipsets using a chip development tool distributed by TSMC since the second half of 2016. The report also notes that Qualcomm is planning to mass produce 7nm chipsets between the end of this year and early next year.
ETNews’ report states that the reason for this decision is that Samsung’s development of these chips has been delayed. TSMC meanwhile, skipped work over the 10nm process and directly started work on the 7nm process.
If true, then Samsung may have lost two major customers. Earlier this year, it was reported that Apple made TSMC the sole manufacturer for its A11 chipsets, which would be used in its upcoming iPhones. The chipset is tipped to be based on the 10nm manufacturing process.
A few months ago, it was reported that Qualcomm and Snapdragon had started working on the next flagship chipset, dubbed the Snapdragon 845, for use in the Galaxy S9 smartphone. Back in 2016, TSMC CEO, had said that his company would prevail over Samsung due to its technological advantage. TSMC was scheduled to move the 7nm process technology to risk production phase this year, followed by volume production in 2018.